On my way to drop Jane off at Amble at 5.30pm this evening, we were commenting on the large congregation of pre-roost Jackdaws and Rooks, about 500+ or more, when an owl showed up coming along the roadside.
At first glance I expected it to be a Barn Owl, then it showed up brown against the trees. The shorter wings and jizz immediately eliminated short-eared owl, and as we got closer it was more apparent that this was indeed a Long Eared Owl. Coming out of Amble too! It soon flipped over the hedge and disappeared along the river side. No doubt this is a bird heading back to its Scandinavian breeding grounds and its been held up by these strong SE winds and rain...
If only it had been at Howick.
right time, not quite right place, a nice chance encounter.
ReplyDeleteThis may sound like a long shot Stewart, but these birds quite often follow a regular route as they set out to hunt... given the time you saw it, a repeat performance may well be possible.
Nice record Stew. I had to make a comment as I couldn't resist the word verification 'paryletic'
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